Faster than an M5: First Cadillac CTS-V performance test published
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Cadillac CTS-V
It's been over 60 years since the Americans have so thoroughly trounced the Germans, but Inside Line has the numbers to prove it. The Edmunds news service had a chance to take the new Cadillac CTS-V (which we're driving in upstart New York as we speak) and its supercharged V8 for a spin around GM's Milford proving grounds and brought along its testing gear. The resulting bombardment ought to have the Germans thoroughly embarrassed and rebuilding for decades to come.
The CTS-V ran the quarter-mile in a scant 12.5 seconds, besting the 12.7 it takes for either the BMW M5 or the Mercedes E63 AMG. Getting back to a standstill was another hit to the Bimmer and the Benz, with the Caddy stopping from 60-0 mph in 109 feet – five feet less than it takes the M5 and six shorter than the AMG. And if you're thinking that brakes and power are easy to upgrade and that the Cadillac couldn't possibly best the Germans on the handling course, think again: the CTS-V ran the slalom at 71.1 mph, while the M5 and E63 ran it in 68.5 and 65 mph respectively. Deutschland über alles indeed.
Gallery: First Ride: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
Vintage 11:37AM (8/26/2008)
The real question is which one holds its value better. Since the CTS is a GM product, I'm guessing it loses very badly in this respect.
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alex 11:44AM (8/26/2008)
ah yes, that IS the real question isn't it? after all, we buy cars for the purpose of holding value.
Ligor 11:51AM (8/26/2008)
are you kidding,
that is performance adn you better give it some credit.
Cady did a very nice job adn the CTS does look loads better then the M5
now, I do have one gripe.
why does the graph bar forthe torque go up to 1200, when the max is below 600 lb-ft? Usually you do that to show make a curve appear flatter than it really is, so i'm asking for a real curve that doens't try to lie to my eyes
Anyhow, this car s great, but $$ i need to hit the lotto first. Then again, if I do, i'll get the 3.6l DI for my daily driver and pick up a GT-R for the performance.
Porsche just got it's a$$ handed to them by the GT-R and the ZR-1, now BMW and MB got their handed to them by the CTS-V. hahahhahhahah
Dondonel 11:51AM (8/26/2008)
CTS-V is much cheaper than the other 2 sport sedans, so it will hold its value better as well.
Brian 12:06PM (8/26/2008)
Is that really what people think about when they go out and buy a $60k + luxury car? Hell no. And German cars are horrible about losing value just as much as Cadillacs. For example; A 94 BMW 7 series cost around $60k when it was brand new and 94 Cadillac Fleetwood was about $45k brand new, now both of them are worth around $4,000. Looks like the BMW lost more value. Luxury German cars take a big hit when you drive them off the lot, then they slowy depriciate for the first 4 years, then once the warranty is gone it takes another big hit and Finally after about 7-8 years of basically the same car with only minor refreshes the new model comes out and another nose dive.
Don't get me wrong I like German cars but no one can argue over a 15 year period that a one won't lose alot of value.
But the point is that buying a brand new car and taking a hit on depreciation is part of the deal. Everyone knows that. Its not an investment.
Joe K. 12:13PM (8/26/2008)
To Be fair, that is what they think about when they go out to lease one....
MasterCKO 1:05PM (8/26/2008)
the real question is who asked the stupidest question. You win that one, my friend.
PaulPaul 1:11PM (8/26/2008)
checkout the used AMG market and come back here
JF 1:44PM (8/26/2008)
Vintage, what are you talking about? GM can't control how much people with hangups (like you) will want to pay for a used CTS-V. That's your fault, not theirs. All GM can do is make the car as good as possible, and this one is pretty damn good.
ed 9:15PM (8/26/2008)
Ah yes, the bashing of American cars, I've never heard this before.
Alex 11:37AM (8/26/2008)
Brilliant!
Go Caddy!
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MemphisNET 11:53AM (8/26/2008)
Love it :D
AND it's a GM, so it can be fixed with a hammer!
devil666 10:55PM (8/26/2008)
"The resulting bombardment ought to have the Germans thoroughly embarrassed and rebuilding for decades to come." Comment of the day! Noah, your pride is noted but lets not go overboard....
My 2c:
Hats off to the caddy but by the same token, bringing forced induction to an N/A fight is like bringing a lightsaber to a sword fight, especially when it already has the same displacement as the epic AMG 6.2. Secondly there are a few stock E63's over at mbworld that have recorded 12.2 1/4 miles (and have proof). Most impressive in my eyes however, that slalom run really is the crowning glory because it shows just how tight the package of the CTS-V is. I tip my proverbial hat to you, GM.
Tourian 2:00PM (8/27/2008)
@devil666
No, its called run what you brung and hope you brung enough. AMG has used F/I before, but going back to N/A was their choice, no one forced them too. I remember reading somewhere that BMW engineers frowned upon F/I because they felt like it was a bandaid approach to building a superior powerplant, or something to that effect, but now they are going back to F/I. Saying that it isn't fair that Cady used a supercharger when going up against two $80K vehicles is absolutely ludicrous. What will be the excuse if the nex gen of twin turbo V10 M5's get beat?
Mike 11:37AM (8/26/2008)
Kudos to cadillac. Now let's see if C&D will add their fun factor and give the M5 the edge.
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Jerk Face 11:55AM (8/26/2008)
Ha ha... You beat me to it. Ten bucks says the bimmer wins.
Joe K. 12:16PM (8/26/2008)
The moving seat bolsters and the badge will give the Bimmer the nod for C&D "Fun Factor" "Amenities" "Prestige" or the "Gotta Have It" will let the bias show through...
Matt 12:34PM (8/26/2008)
Why do you think Edmunds was given the privilege of testing this vehicle first? Or the Challenger, or the GT-R, or any of the other myriad of firsts they've had over the last year. The game has changed; the buff books are now second-best to reputable online firms. It's about time.
nydave 11:38AM (8/26/2008)
it hurts doesn't it import fangirls?
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Atif Iqbal 11:38AM (8/26/2008)
Yes its beating both, but the E63 and the M5 can be used daily, as regular cars, and have 4 seats.
With the Sparco racing seats & belt, and the huge rollcage in the back, you effectively make it a 2 seater (did anyone see the legroom left in the back?). I'm not saying the other cars are better. Just pointing out some of the downsides. On the upside, the CTS-V does look a lot better than the new M5
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